Bits and pieces: Gerber baby

What a great story! The cutest little kid in the world will be the new Gerber baby and he has Downs Syndrome. I worked in the Maternal and Child Health and its sister program for Special Health Care Needs program for 50 years. I am so happy to be alive to see this. I hope you have seen little Lucas' picture. What a wonderful ambassador for special needs children he will be.

Mariel Caldwell, Springfield

Amen to No Trump Day

I agree with the lady who wished for a day without Trump. I however wish for a year and maybe a lifetime without Trump.

Sally Foster, Mt. Vernon

A Thorn to Congress

The recent climb in long-term interest rates is due to the increase government deficits associated with Republican tax cuts. The new budget agreement will also increase government deficits, resulting in even higher long-term interest rates. This is fiscal irresponsibility. America deserves better.

Dwain Cunningham, Nixa

Long should think of his mentor and consider retirement

Billy Long once referred to Mel Hancock as his mentor. Mel Hancock was such a proponent of term limits that he only served four terms citing a promise he made to his constituents. As Billy Long reaches the end of his fourth term he has made no announcement in regard to term limits. Billy Long seems very comfortable in the ways of Washington D.C.

Michael Scriven, Springfield

America has no king

There are three co-equal branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. There is no "unlimited power" king position — elected, dreamed or otherwise.

The Gugenheim Museum's tongue-in-cheek offer of the loan of a 24 carat gold toilet is the only throne available to this president in America.

Jan Lancaster, Springfield

Speculation makes for fake news

In the 15 small paragraphs that made up the main article in the USA TODAY section of Sunday's N-L ("Trump barreling toward showdown with Mueller"), the writer used the word might once, likely twice, possible three times and could four times.

Trump could get killed in an airplane, or helicopter, crash, Mueller might resign from the Russian interference task and it's possible Hillary Clinton could go to prison.

Take out the speculative words in the article and what do you have left? In my opinion, speculation is nothing more than a disguised form of fake "news."